One of the deterrents to a small business owner setting up his own computer network or security system is the apparently daunting task of running wires over long distances through seemingly impenetrable obstacles.

To put this concern to rest, 13 companies formed the HomePlug Power Alliance in March of 2000. Member companies include well-known names such as Comcast, Earthlink, GE Security, Intel, Linksys, Motorola, Radio Shack, Sharp and Sony. The goal of the alliance was to establish a specification that would allow the use of existing power outlets and electrical wires to connect devices to each other and to the Internet.

Today, HomePlug 1.0 is a globally recognized standard for high-speed power line networking.

By establishing a single industry standard, HomePlug addresses system incompatibility, one of the major impediments to whole-house automation, "smart" houses and universal design. The other major design concept is the use of existing in-home power lines for both power and connectivity applications, instead of running separate wiring for applications such as telephone and Internet. Power outlets are available in virtually every room of every house worldwide, and this universality is what HomePlug 1.0 exploits.

The next generation of power line technology, designated HomePlug AV, is designed to support home entertainment applications, such as HDTV and home theater. Imagine distributing home theater and HDTV throughout a home without wires! HomePlug-member semiconductor companies have already started to announce chips based on HomePlug AV technology.

Of course, HomePlug 1.0 and HomePlug AV are compatible with existing wired and wireless (WiFi) systems.

One of the latest incarnations of HomePlug 1.0 technology is a digital video surveillance system from LukWerks. The starter kit, about $300, consists of a USB power line receiver, a single camera, a camera power line transformer, desktop, wall and suction cup mounts, operating software and all cables. Additional camera kits, which include the power line transformer and all mounts and cables, are available for about $230. Focus is manual; brightness control is automatic or manual.

The system's real power lies in its motion detection and recording capabilities. The motion detection sensitivity can be set for each camera, and when triggered, the camera records to the computer's hard drive at 15 frames per second.

If there is a broadband Internet connection at your business, you can view your cameras remotely.

Installation is simplicity itself. First, install the supplied software on the computer that will be used as the monitoring console. Plug one side of the receiver into a wall outlet and the other side into a USB port on your computer. Plug the camera transformer into another wall outlet and connect the camera to the transformer with the supplied 10-ft Ethernet cable. The system will support as many as six cameras.

It is positioned as a home security system, but there is no reason why it could not be used for a small business. An outdoor version is expected to be available in June.

The idea of using house wiring as a network for virtually all electrical and electronic applications is not new. More than 20 years ago, General Electric set up a demonstration all-electric house in New Jersey in which all appliances and electronics used the same five-prong plug to access power and signal path. The appliances were "smart" and were controlled in part by a home-management computer, a new concept at the time.

The system worked this way. Let's say a toaster-oven is plugged into a socket. The home management computer senses a closed circuit and sends a signal to the appliance, asking, "What are you?" The appliance replies, "I am a toaster-oven," and the computer switches 110 VAC through the house wiring to the appliance.

This system permitted stereo speakers all over the house, also using the same five-prong plug. When a speaker is plugged into the outlet, the speaker identifies itself to the computer, and the computer switches an audio signal from the receiver in a distant part of the house to the speaker over power lines.

They included a safety element as well. If a child inadvertently puts a metal object into a socket so that it closes a circuit, the computer would receive no answer to its "What are you?" query and shut the outlet down for five minutes. The child is never in danger.

Sadly, the system was far ahead of its time, and other than in the few demonstration houses that were built, faded to obscurity. But the concept did not.

Let's see now . . . the LukWerks system has no wires, it is easy to install and use, won't break the bank . . . isn't it about time your business had an up-to-date surveillance system?

Stan Elias writes on business technology issues and operates Tensor Communications, a West Barnstable marketing communications agency that specializes in technology-based businesses. He has no financial interest in any products or services mentioned. He can be reached at 323-401-1290 or
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